Turn signal control device for vehicle

ABSTRACT

In a turn signal control device for a vehicle having an automatic canceling function, a switch operating element is carried on a pivot shaft mounted in a fixed switch case so that the switch operating element can be returned and pushed-in between a returned position and a pushed-in position. The switch operating element is swingable at the returned position between a neutral position and a left-turn indicating position and a right-turn indicating position. The switch operating element is pushed-in to the pushed-in position by push-in operation at the returned position. The switch operating element is resiliently urged toward the neutral position and there turned position. A winker switch is operatively connected to the switch operating element so as to break the connection of a left-turn indicating means or a right-turn indicating means to a flasher unit in response to push-in of the switch operating element to the pushed-in position. Thus, a switch and an electric circuit for manual canceling are not required to improve reliability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a turn signal control device for avehicle, and particularly relates to a turn signal control device for avehicle comprising: a flasher unit for repeatedly performing connectionand disconnection in response to input of a setting signal, andmaintaining a disconnected state in response to input of a cancelsignal; a left-turn indicating means and a right-turn indicating meanswhich are activated by electricity supply thereto to indicate aleft-turned state and a right-turned state, respectively; a turn signalswitch means including: a switch operating element swingable between aneutral position, and a left-turn indicating position and a right-turnindicating position which are provided on opposite sides of the neutralposition; a winker switch for connecting the left-turn indicating meansor the right-turn indicating means to the flasher unit in response toswing of the switch operating element from the neutral position to theleft-turn or right-turn indicating position; and a set switch forchanging switching modes in response to the swing of the switchoperating means from the neutral position to the left-turn or right-turnindicating position; and a control unit which inputs the cancel signalto the flasher unit in response to establishment of a predeterminedautomatic canceling condition, and which inputs the setting signal tothe flasher unit in response to change of the switching modes of the setswitch corresponding to the swing of the switch operating element.supply thereto to indicate a left-turned state and a right-turned state,respectively; a turn signal switch means including: a switch operatingelement swingable between a neutral position, and a left-turn indicatingposition and a right-turn indicating position which are provided onopposite sides of the neutral position; a winker switch for connectingthe left-turn indicating means or the right-turn indicating means to theflasher unit in response to swing of the switch operating element fromthe neutral position to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position;and a set switch for changing switching modes in response to the swingof the switch operating means from the neutral position to the left-turnor right-turn indicating position; and a control unit which inputs thecancel signal to the flasher unit in response to establishment of apredetermined automatic canceling condition, and which inputs thesetting signal to the flasher unit in response to change of theswitching modes of the set switch corresponding to the swing of theswitch operating element, wherein the switch operating element iscarried on a pivot shaft mounted in a fixed switch case so that theswitch operating element can be returned and pushed-in between areturned position and a pushed-in position, the switch operating elementbeing swingable at the returned position between the neutral positionand the left-turn indicating position and the right-turn indicatingposition, the switch operating element being pushed-in to the pushed-inposition by push-in operation at the returned position; wherein aresiliently urging means is mounted between the switch case and theswitch operating element so as to resiliently urge the switch operatingelement toward the neutral position and the returned position; andwherein the winker switch is operatively connected to the switchoperating element so as to break the connection of the left-turnindicating means or the right-turn indicating means to the flasher unitin response to push-in of the switch operating element to the pushed-inposition.

With the first feature of the present invention, to provide awinker-canceled state by a manual operation after the winker switch hasbeen operated so as to connect the left-turn indicting means or theright-turn indicating means to the flasher unit by swinging the switchoperating element in the returned position toward the left-turnindicating position or the right-turn indicating position, the switchoperating element is pushed-in from the returned position to thepushed-in position. With this operation, the winker switch, in a statein which the left-turn indicting means or the right-turn indicatingmeans is connected to the flasher unit, is operated to break theconnection of the left-turn indicting means or the right-turn indicatingmeans to the flasher unit, thereby providing the winker-canceled state.Therefore, a switch and an electric circuit for manual canceling are notrequired to improve the reliability.

According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition tothe first feature, the resiliently urging means and the winker switchare disposed within the switch case with the switch operating elementsandwiched therebetween.

With the second feature of the present invention, the resiliently urgingmeans and the winker switch are disposed on the opposite sides of theswitch operating element. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the lengthof the entire switch case in directions of push-in and return of theswitch operating element.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such a turn signal control device for a vehicle is already known, forexample, from Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-4601. In thisturn signal control device, in order to provide a winker-canceled stateby a manual operation after swing of a switch operating element to aleft-turn indication position or a right-turn indicating position, aswitch for changing switching modes in response to push-in of the switchoperating element is provided in a turn signal switch means.

The above conventional device requires a switch for providing thewinker-canceled state by the manual operation is required in addition toa set switch, and also an electric circuit for manual canceling.However, in order to further improve the reliability, it is desirable tosimplify the electric circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in view of such circumstances,and an object thereof is to provide a turn signal control device for avehicle, wherein a switch and an electric circuit for manual cancelingare not required to improve reliability.

To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to a first feature ofthe invention, there is provided a turn signal control device for avehicle comprising: a flasher unit for repeatedly performing connectionand disconnection in response to input of a setting signal, andmaintaining a disconnected state in response to input of a cancelsignal; a left-turn indicating means and a right-turn indicating meanswhich are activated by electricity Also, the position of the switchoperating element can be changed by disposing the resiliently urgingmeans and the winker switch on which side of the switch operatingelement. Therefore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom indisposing the operating portion of the switch operating element.

According to a third feature of the present invention, in addition tothe first or second feature, the switch operating element includes afirst pin protruding from one surface of the switch operating element,and a second pin protruding from the other surface of the switchoperating element at a position spaced away from the pivot shaft morethan the first pin; and the resiliently urging means is arranged on oneside of the switch operating element so as to apply a resilient force tothe first pin so that the first pin urges the switch operating elementto the neutral position and the returned position; and a movable contactholder having a plurality of movable contacts and constituting a portionof the winker switch is operatively connected to the second pin so thatthe movable contact holder can slide between a left-turnindicating/connecting position, a right-turn indicating/connectingposition and a disconnecting position, the left-turn indicating meansbeing connected to the flasher unit at the left-turnindicating/connecting position in response to the swing of the switchoperating element to the left-turn indicating position, the right-turnindicating means being connected to the flasher unit at the right-turnindicating/connecting position in response to the swing of the switchoperating element to the right-turn indicating position, thedisconnecting position being provided at a central portion between theleft-turn indicating/connecting position and the right-turnindicating/connecting position so that the movable contact holder canbreak the connection of the left-turn indicating means or the right-turnindicating means to the flasher unit in response to the push-in of theswitch operating element after the swing of the switch operating elementto the left-turn or right-turn indicating position.

With the third feature of the present invention, the distance betweenthe second pin operatively connected to the movable contact holder ofthe winker switch and the pivot shaft is relatively increased, and theamount of sliding of the movable contact holder due to the swing of theswitch operating element is relatively increased, thereby securing asufficient insulating space between the contacts of the winker switch.Also, the resiliently urging means apply a resiliently urging force tothe first pin having a relatively large distance from the pivot shaft,thereby reducing a space required for the resiliently urging means inthe push-in and return directions, and increasing the degree of freedomin setting the operating load.

According to a fourth feature of the present invention, in addition tothe third feature, the resiliently urging means includes a return platethat has a guide recess into which the first pin is inserted and that issupported in the switch case so that the return plate can slide in adirection parallel to directions of push-in and return of the switchoperating element, and a pair of return springs mounted between thereturn plate and the switch case so as to exhibit spring forces forurging the return plate in a direction to bring the first pin intoabutment against the guide recess; the guide recess is formed into asubstantially triangular shape having a valley against which the firstpin abuts in a state in which the switch operating element is in theneutral position, and return cam faces provided on opposite sides of thevalley and inclined so that the first pin is brought into abutmentagainst the return cam faces in response to the swing of the switchoperating element to the left-turn and right-turn indicating positions;and the return springs are mounted between the return plate and theswitch case on the opposite sides of the valley.

With the fourth feature of the present invention, the pair of returnsprings are mounted between the return plate and the switch case. Thereturn springs are adapted to bring the first pin provided on the switchoperating element into abutment against the valley of the guide recess,when the switch operating element is in the neutral position; to exhibitspring forces for urging the pin abutting against one of the return camfaces provided on the opposite sides of the valley in a direction toreturn the pin to the valley, i.e., in a direction to return the switchoperating element to the neutral position, when the switch operatingelement is swung to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position; andto exhibit spring forces for urging the switch operating element towardthe returned position, when the switch operating element is pushed-in tothe pushed-in position. Because the return plate and the pair of returnsprings are disposed in parallel to the switch operating element, it ispossible to reduce the length of the entire switch case in thedirections of push-in and return of the switch operating element. Also,because the pair of return springs exhibit the spring forces from theopposite sides to return the switch operating element to the returnedposition, it is possible to inhibit the switch operating element fromstaggering during operation thereof, leading to an improved operationalfeeling.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention, in addition tothe fourth feature, the guide recess is formed so that an amount ofstroke of the return plate upon the swing of the switch operatingelement in the returned position from the neutral position to theleft-turn indicating position or the right-turn indicating position islarger than an amount of stroke of the return plate upon the push-in ofthe switch operating element from the returned position to the pushed-inposition; and the set switch includes a stationary contact fixedlydisposed on a side of the switch case and a movable contact disposed onthe return plate, the movable contact being brought into contact andelectrical connection with the stationary contact upon the swing of theswitch operating element in the returned position from the neutralposition to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position, while themovable contact are not brought into contact with the stationary contactupon the push-in of the switch operating element from the returnedposition to the pushed-in position.

With the fifth feature of the present invention, it is possible toconstruct the set switch so as to provide electrical connection inresponse to the swing of the switch operating element from the neutralposition to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position, byutilizing a difference between the amount of stroke of the return plateupon the push-in of the switch operating element from the returnedposition to the pushed-in position and the amount of stroke of thereturn plate upon the swing of the switch operating element to theleft-turn indicating position or the right-turn indicating position.Therefore, the set switch is constructed by using, as a portion thereof,the return plate constituting a portion of the resiliently urging means,thereby reducing the number of parts.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a turn signal switch means according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken in a direction of an arrow 2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 3-3 in FIG. 2when a switch operating element is in a neutral position.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the turn signal switch means.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 7-7 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line 8-8 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line 9-9 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line 10-10 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but when the switch operatingelement is operated to a left-turn indicating position.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but when the switch operatingelement is pushed-in to a pushed-in position.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a turn signal controldevice for a vehicle.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the arrangement a turn signal controldevice for a vehicle, according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a grip (not shown) adapted to be grabbed by aleft hand of a rider is mounted at a left end of a steering handlebar,for example, of a motorcycle, and a synthetic resin switch cover 16 isattached to the steering handlebar 15 at a position adjoining the gripfrom inside. The switch cover 16 comprises two members sandwiching thesteering handlebar 15 from opposite sides.

A switch case 18 for a turn signal switch means 17 is housed in theswitch cover 16 and fastened to the switch cover 16, for example, by apair of screw members 19. The turn signal switch means 17 includes aswitch operating element 20 which protrudes rearwards from the switchcover 16. A knob 21 is mounted at a protruding end of the switchoperating element 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 10, the turn signal switch means 17 includes:the synthetic resin switch case 18 fastened to the switch cover 16; theswitch operating element 20 carried on a pivot shaft 22 provided in theswitch case 18; a resiliently urging means 23 mounted between the switchcase 18 and the switch operating element 20; and a set switch 25 and awinker switch 24 for changing switching modes in response to theoperation of the switch operating element 20.

The switch case 18 integrally comprises: first and second sidewalls 18 aand 18 b extending vertically within the switch cover 16 while facingeach other with a space in a lengthwise direction of the steeringhandlebar 15 therebetween; a front wall 18 c vertically extending andconnecting front ends of the first and second sidewalls 18 a and 18 b toeach other at right angles; and a bridging portion 18 d connecting rearends of the first and second sidewalls 18 a and 18 b to each other atright angles. A mounting portion 26 provided on the second sidewall 18 band amounting portion 27 provided on the bridging portion 18 d arefastened to the switch cover 16 by screw members 19, respectively.

The cylindrical pivot shaft 22 protrudes upwards from an upper surfaceof a central portion of the bridging portion 18 d of the switch case 18.A threaded bore 28 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided in the bridgingportion 18 d, and opened at an upper end of the pivot shaft 22 to extendvertically.

The switch operating element 20 is made of a metal material andpartially protrudes into the switch case 18 while coming into slidingcontact with an upper surface of the bridging portion 18 d. The switchoperating element 20 has an elongated bore 29 through which the pivotshaft 22 is inserted; a washer 30 abuts against a tip end of the pivotshaft 22 with the switch operating element 20 sandwiched between thewasher 30 and the bridging portion 18 d; and a screw member 31 insertedthrough the washer 30 is threadedly fitted into the threaded bore 28.

The switch operating element 20 is carried on the pivot shaft 22 so thatthe switch operating element 20 can be returned and pushed-in between areturned position (a rear position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5) and apushed-in position (a front position shown in FIG. 12) which are spacedaway from each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of thepivot shaft 22, and so that the switch operating element 20 is swingableat the returned position between the neutral position, and the left-turnindicating position and the right-turn indicating position which areprovided on opposite sides of the neutral position. Also, the end of theswitch operating element 20 protruding into the switch case 18 is formedto have a width narrowing toward its tip end in order to avoid that thewidth in a lateral direction of the switch case 18 is increased foraccommodation of the swing of the switch operating element 20 betweenthe left-turn indicating position and the right-turn indicatingposition.

The resiliently urging means 23 is adapted to urge the switch operatingelement 20 toward the neutral position and the returned position, andincludes a return plate 34 supported in the switch case 18, and a pairof return springs 35, 35 mounted between the return plate 34 and theswitch case 18.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of guide projections 36, 36 areprojectingly provided on each of opposite sides of the return plate 34.Guide bores 37, 37 are provided in the first and second sidewalls 18 aand 18 b of the switch case 18 on each of opposite sides of the returnplate 34 so that the guide projections 36, 36 are slidably fitted intothe guide bores 37, 37. The guide bores 37, 37 are formed to extendthrough a long distance along the directions of push-in and return ofthe switch operating element 20. The return plate 34 is supported in theswitch case 18 so as to be slidable in a direction parallel to thedirections of push-in and return of the switch operating element 20.

A guide recess 38 opened toward the pivot shaft 22 is provided on asurface of the return plate 34 which is opposed to the switch operatingelement 20. A first pin 39 provided on the switch operating element 20and having an axis parallel to the pivot shaft 22 is inserted into theguide recess 38. Also, the guide recess 38 is recessed substantiallyinto a triangular shape having a valley 40 against which the first pin39 abuts in a state in which the switch operating element 20 is in theneutral position, and a pair of return cam faces 41 and 42 disposed onopposite sides of the valley 40 and inclined so that the first pin 39 isbrought into abutment against the return cam faces 41, 42 in response tothe swing of the switch operating element 20 to the left-turn indicatingposition and the right-turn indicating position.

The return springs 35 are coil springs mounted on opposite sides of thevalley 40 between the return plate 34 and the front wall 18 c of theswitch case 18, and provided under compression between the oppositesides of the return plate 34 and the front wall 18 c of the switch case18. Projections 43, 43 and 44, 44 are projectingly provided on theopposite sides of the return plate 34 and the front wall 18 c of theswitch case 18, respectively, so that they are fitted into opposite endsof the return springs 35.

With this resiliently urging means 23 in a state in which the switchoperating element 20 is in the neutral position, the valley 40 of theguide recess 38 is brought into abutment against the first pin 39 byspring forces exhibited by the return springs 35, as shown in FIG. 6,whereby the switch operating element 20 is resiliently urged toward thereturned position. As shown in FIG. 11, when the switch operatingelement 20 is swung to the left-turn indicating position, the first pin39 is brought into abutment against one 41 of the return cam faces 41and 42 on the opposite sides of the valley 40. In this arrangement,because the return cam face 41 is an inclined face, the spring forcesexhibited by the return springs 35 act on the first pin 39 through thereturn plate 34 in a direction to return the first pin 39 to the valley40, i.e., in a direction to return the switch operating element 20 tothe neutral position. When the application of an operating force to theswitch operating element 20 is stopped, the switch operating element 20is returned to the neutral position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Also,when the switch operating element 20 is swung to the right-turnindicating position, the first pin 39 is brought into abutment againstthe other 42 of the return cam faces 41 and 42 on the opposite sides ofthe valley 40. In this arrangement, because the return cam face 42 is aninclined face, the spring forces exhibited by the return springs 35 actson the first pin 39 through the return plate 34 in a direction to returnthe first pin 39 to the valley 40. When the application of an operatingforce to the switch operating element 20 is stopped, the switchoperating element 20 is returned to the neutral position.

When the switch operating element 20 is pushed-in to the pushed-inposition, as shown in FIG. 12, the first pin 39 is in abutment againstthe valley 40 of the guide recess 38, and the resiliently urging means23 exhibits a spring force for urging the switch operating element 20toward the returned position through the first pin 39.

Further, the guide recess 38 is formed so that a stroke amount of thereturn plate 34 when the switch operating element 20 is swung in thereturned position from the neutral position to the left-turn indicatingposition or the right-turn indicating position is larger than a strokeamount of the return plate 34 when the switch operating element 20 ispushed-in from the returned position to the pushed-in position.

Referring particularly carefully to FIGS. 8 to 10, the winker switch 24includes a first stationary contact base 45 made of a synthetic resinand fixed to the switch case 18, and a movable contact holder 46 opposedto the first stationary contact base 45 and adapted to be slid inresponse to the operation of the switch operating element 20. The winkerswitch 24 is disposed within the switch case 18 such that the switchoperating element 20 is sandwiched between the winker switch 24 and theresiliently urging means 23.

First to sixth stationary contacts 47 to 52 are mounted on the firststationary contact base 45. First to fifth movable contacts 53 to 57 aremounted on the movable contact holder 46. Specifically, the winkerswitch 24 comprises the fourth to sixth stationary contacts 50 to 52,and the fourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and 57. The first to thirdstationary contacts 47 to 49 and the first to third movable contacts 53to 55 constitute a position switch 73 including the first stationarycontact base 45 and the movable contact holder 46 which are shared bythe winker switch 24.

The first stationary contact base 45 is disposed at a position spacedaway from the front wall 18 c of the switch case 18. The firststationary contact base 45 is fixed to the switch case 18 by bringingfirst and second engaging projections 59 and 60 integrally projectinglyprovided on opposite sides of the first stationary contact base 45 intoresilient engagement with first and second locking bores 61 and 62provided in the first and second sidewalls 18 a and 18 b of the switchcase 18, respectively. A slit 63 (see FIG. 4) is provided in the secondsidewall 18 b at a position adjacent to the second locking bore 62 sothat the slit 63 extends through a long distance along the directions ofthe push-in and return movements of the switch operating element 20 andopens in a rear end of the second sidewall 18 b, in order that thesecond sidewall 18 b can be bent upon resilient engagement of the secondengaging projection 60 with the second locking bore 62.

Provided on the side of the front surface of the first stationarycontact base 45, i.e., on the side of the front wall 18 c of the switchcase 18 are the first and second stationary contacts 47 and 48 extendinglaterally through a long distance and arranged laterally side by side,the third stationary contact 49 extending laterally through a longdistance below the first and second stationary contacts 47 and 48, andfourth, fifth and sixth stationary contacts 50, 51 and 52 arrangedlaterally side by side above the first and second stationary contacts 47and 48.

On the other hand, the movable contact holder 46 is disposed between thefront wall 18 c of the switch case 18 and the first stationary contactbase 45. Supported on the movable contact holder 64 are a first contactplate 64 corresponding to the first to third stationary contacts 47 to49, and a second contact plate 65 corresponding to the fourth to sixthstationary contacts 50 to 52 so that they can move toward and away fromthe first stationary contact base 45. Projectingly provided on a surfaceof the first contact plate 64 opposed to the first stationary contactbase 45 are the first and second movable contacts 53 and 54 capable ofbeing brought into contact and electrical connection with the first andsecond stationary contacts 47 and 48 respectively, and the third movablecontact 55 normally in contact and electrical connection with the thirdstationary contact 49. Projectingly provided on a surface of the secondcontact plate 65 opposed to the first stationary contact base 45 are thefourth movable contact 56 capable of being brought into contact andelectrical connection with the fourth and fifth stationary contacts 50and 51 and the fifth movable contact 57 capable of being brought intocontact and electrical connection with the fifth and sixth stationarycontacts 51 and 52.

Springs 66 and 67 are mounted between the movable contact holder 46 andthe first and second contact plates 64 and 65 so as to urge the firstand second contact plates 64 and 65 toward the first stationary contactbase 45, respectively. The first and second contact plates 64 and 65 arefloatingly supported in the movable contact holder 46.

The movable contact holder 46 is slidably carried between the firststationary contact base 45 and the front wall 18 c of the switch case18. The movable contact holder 46 is reciprocally moved between thefirst and second sidewalls 18 a and 18 b of the switch case 18 in orderto change the electrically connected and disconnected states of thefirst to fifth movable contacts 53 to 57 to the first to sixthstationary contacts 47 to 52 in response to the swing of the switchoperating element 20 in the returned position.

Referring carefully to FIG. 3, a second pin 68 having an axis parallelto the pivot shaft 22 and the first pin 39 is provided at the end of theswitch operating element 20 protruding into the switch case 18. Thesecond pin 68 is provided on the switch operating element 20 so as toprotrude from a surface of the switch operating element 20 facing themovable contact holder 46 at a position spaced away from the pivot shaft22 more than the first pin 39. As shown in FIG. 5, first and secondabutment faces 69 and 70 are provided on the movable contact holder 46so as to extend in parallel to each other along the directions ofpush-in and return of the switch operating element 20, and are adaptedto be positioned on opposite sides of the second pin 68 when the switchoperating element 20 is in the returned position. The first and secondabutment faces 69 and 70. In a state in which the switch operatingelement 20 is in the returned and neutral position without indicatingeither the left-turn or the right-turn, the first and second abutmentfaces 69 and 70 are equidistant from the second pin 68. When the switchoperating element 20 is swung from this state to the left-turnindicating position, the second pin 68 is brought into abutment againstthe first abutment face 69 and slide the movable contact holder 46 to aposition where the movable contact holder 46 abuts against the secondsidewall 18 b of the switch case 18, as shown in FIG. 11. In this state,when the switch operating element 20 is returned to the neutralposition, the second pin 68 is moved into abutment against or closer tothe second abutment face 70 so as not to exert an urging force on themovable contact holder 46.

In a state in which there is no indication of the left-turn or theright-turn, when the switch operating element 20 is swung to theright-turn indicating position from the returned and neutral position,the second pin 68 is brought into abutment against the second abutmentface 70 and slides the movable contact holder 46 to a position where themovable contact holder 46 abuts against the first sidewall 18 a of theswitch case 18. In this state, when the switch operating element 20 isreturned to the neutral position, the second pin 68 is moved intoabutment against or closer to the first abutment face 69 so as not toexert an urging force on the movable contact holder 46.

Provided on the movable contact holder 46 are a first cam face 71connected to the first abutment face 69 and a second cam face 72connected to the second abutment face 70 such that they are brought intoabutment against the second pin 68 when the switch operating element 20is pushed-in to the pushed-in position from the returned position afterbeing swung to the left-turn indicating position or the right-turnindicating position. The first and second cam faces 71 and 72 are formedso that they are inclined to become closer to each other toward thefront wall 18 c of the switch case 18.

When the switch operating element 20 is pushed-in to the pushed-inposition after being swung to the left-turn indicating position, thesecond pin 68 is brought into abutment against the second cam face 72 ofthe movable contact holder 46 having been moved toward the secondsidewall 18 b of the switch case 18, and is then moved to the pushed-inposition while being in sliding contact with the second cam face 72,thereby returning the movable contact holder 46 to the neutral position,as shown in FIG. 12. On the other hand, when the switch operatingelement 20 is pushed-in to the pushed-in position after being swung tothe right-turn indicating position, the second pin 68 is brought intoabutment against the first cam face 71 of the movable contact holder 46having been moved toward the first sidewall 18 a of the switch case 18,and is then moved to the pushed-in position while being in slidingcontact with the first cam face 71, thereby returning the movablecontact holder 46 to the neutral position. In other words, the movablecontact holder 46 is operatively connected to the second pin 68 so as tobe slid in response to the operation of the switch operating element 20.

As clearly shown in FIG. 8, a click mechanism 75 is mounted between thefront wall 18 c of the switch case 18 and the movable contact holder 46so as to retain the position of the movable contact holder 46 which ischanged corresponding to the swing and push-in movements of the switchoperating element 20.

The click mechanism 75 comprises a steel ball 77, a click spring 78, aneutral-position retaining recess 79, a left-turn indicating positionretaining recess 80, and a right-turn indicating position retainingrecess 81. The most part of the steel ball 77 is accommodated in abottomed accommodating bore 76 provided in the movable contact holder 46to open toward the front wall 18 c of the switch case 18. The clickspring 78 is mounted between a closed end of the accommodating bore 76and the steel ball 77 so as to exhibit a spring force for urging thesteel ball 77 toward the front wall 18 c. The neutral-position retainingrecess 79 is provided in the front wall 18 c of the switch case 18 suchthat a portion of the steel ball 77 is brought into engagement with therecess 79 when the movable contact holder 46 is in the neutral position.The left-turn indicating position retaining recess 80 is provided in thefront wall 18 c such that a portion of the steel ball 77 is brought intoengagement with the recess 80 when the movable contact holder 46 ismoved toward the second sidewall 18 b in response to the swing of theswitch operating element 20 to the left-turn indicating position. Theright-turn indicating position retaining recess 81 is provided in thefront wall 18 c such that a portion of the steel ball 77 is brought intoengagement with the recess 81 when the movable contact holder 46 ismoved toward the first sidewall 18 a in response to the swing of theswitch operating element 20 to the right-turn indicating position.

When the movable contact holder 46 is in the neutral position, the firstand second movable contacts 53 and 54 of the position switch 73 are incontact and electrical connection with the first and second stationarycontacts 47 and 48; the third movable contact 55 is in contact andelectrical connection with the third stationary contact 49, and thefourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and 57 of the winker switch 24 arenot in contact and electrical connection with any of the fourth to sixthstationary contacts 50 to 52.

When the movable contact holder 46 is moved to the left-turn indictingposition, in the position switch 73, the first and third movablecontacts 53 and 55 are in contact and electrical connection with thefirst and third stationary contacts 47 and 49, while the second movablecontact 54 is moved to a position out of contact and electricalconnection with the second stationary contact 48; and in the winkerswitch 24, the fourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and 57 areindividually in contact and electrical connection with the fourth andfifth stationary contacts 50 and 51.

When the movable contact holder 46 is moved to the right-turn indicatingposition, in the position switch 73, the second and third movablecontacts 54 and 55 are in contact and electrical connection with thesecond and third stationary contacts 48 and 49, while the first movablecontact 53 is moved to a position out of contact and electricalconnection with the first stationary contact 47; and in the winkerswitch 24, the fourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and 57 areindividually in contact and electrical connection with the fifth andsixth stationary contacts 51 and 52.

Further, a cover portion 46 a (see FIGS. 4 and 10) is integrallyprovided in the movable contact holder 46 so as to cover from above aregion between opposed surfaces of the movable contact holder 46 and thefirst stationary contact base 45.

Referring particularly carefully to FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, the set switch 25is mounted between a second stationary contact base 82 made of asynthetic resin and fixed to the switch case 18 and the return plate 34constituting a portion of the resiliently urging means 23.

The second stationary contact base 82 is secured to the switch case 18so as to cover the return plate 34 from above. The second stationarycontact base 82 is fixed to the switch case 18 by bringing third andfourth engaging projections 83, 83 and 84, 84 integrally projectinglyprovided in pairs on opposite sides of the second stationary contactbase 82 into resilient engagement with third and fourth locking bores85, 85 and 86, 86 provided in pairs in upper portions of the first andsecond sidewalls 18 a and 18 b of the switch case 18.

A pair of left and right seventh stationary contacts 87, 87 are fixed ona surface of the second stationary contact base 82 facing the returnplate 34 in a portion near the front wall 18 c of the switch case 18. Onthe other hand, a third contact plate 88 corresponding to the seventhstationary contacts 87 is supported on the return plate 34 so as to bemovable toward and away from the second stationary contact base 82. Apair of sixth movable contacts 89, 89 capable of being brought intocontact and electrical connection with the seventh stationary contacts87 are projectingly provided on a surface of the third contact plate 88opposed to the second stationary contact base 82.

The return plate 34 has a bottomed spring accommodating bore 90 whichfaces a rear face of the third contact plate 88. A spring 91 is mountedunder compression between a closed end of the spring accommodating bore90 and the return plate 34, and thus the return plate 34 is floatinglysupported on the return plate 34.

When the switch operating element 20 is in the neutral position, thesixth movable contacts 89 are never brought into contact and electricalconnection with the seventh stationary contacts 87, as shown in FIGS. 3and 5; and also when the switch operating element 20 is in the pushed-inposition, the sixth movable contacts 89 are never brought into contactand electrical connection with the seventh stationary contacts 87, asshown in FIG. 12. Therefore, when the switch operating element 20 isswung to the left or the right in the returned position, the sixthmovable contacts 89 are brought into contact and electrical connectionwith the seventh stationary contacts 87, as shown in FIG. 11, inresponse to the push-in of the return plate 34 corresponding to theswing of the switch operating element 20. Thus, the amount of stroke ofthe return plate 34 upon the swing of the switch operating element 20from the neutral position to the left-turn indicating position or theright-turn indicating position is larger than the amount of stroke ofthe return plate 34 upon the push-in of the switch operating element 20from the returned position to the pushed-in position. Accordingly, thesixth movable contacts 89 are disposed on the return plate 34 such thatthey are brought into contact and electrical connection with the seventhstationary contacts 87 upon the swing of the switch operating element 20in the returned position from the neutral position to the left-turn orright-turn indicating position, but they are not brought into contactand electrical connection with the seventh stationary contacts 87 uponthe push-in of the switch operating element 20 from the returnedposition to the pushed-in position.

Referring to FIG. 13, the winker switch 24 of the turn signal switchmeans 17 is interposed between a left-turn indicating means 93L and theright-turn indicating means 93R which are activated by electricitysupply thereto to indicate a left-turned state and a right-turned state,and a winker relay 97 which is a flasher unit.

The left-turn indicating means 93L comprises, for example, a left frontwinker lamp 94L, a left rear winker lamp 95L and a left indicator lamp96L. The fourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and 57 as well as thefourth and fifth stationary contacts 50 and 51 on the winker switch 24are used for providing and blocking the electricity supply to the leftfront winker lamp 94L, the left rear winker lamp 95L and the leftindicator lamp 96L. The right-turn indicating mans 93R comprises, forexample, a right front winker lamp 94R, a right rear winker lamp 95R anda right indicator lamp 96R. The fourth and fifth movable contacts 56 and57 as well as the fifth and sixth stationary contacts 51 and 52 on thewinker switch 24 are used for providing and blocking the electricitysupply to the right front winker lamp 94R, the right rear winker lamp95R and the right indicator lamp 96R.

The position switch 73 is used for the control of the electricity supplyto left and right position lamps 92L and 92R, wherein the second andthird movable contacts 54 and 55 as well as the second and thirdstationary contacts 48 and 49 on the position switch 73 are used forproviding and blocking the electricity supply to the left position lamp92L, and the first and third movable contacts 53 and 55 as well as thefirst and third stationary contacts 47 and 49 on the position switch 73are used for providing and blocking the electricity supply to the rightposition lamp 92R.

The movable contact holder 46 of the winker switch 24 is operativelyconnected to the second pin 68 provided on the switch operating element20, and is adapted to be slid in response to the swing and push-in ofthe switch operating element 20. In this arrangement, the movablecontact holder 46 can slide between a left-turn indicating/connectingposition (a position on the side of the second sidewall 18 b in theswitch case 18), a right-turn indicating/electric connecting position (aposition on the side of the first sidewall 18 a in the switch case 18),and a disconnecting position provide at a central portion between theleft-turn indicating/electric connecting position and the right-turnindicating/electric connecting position. In the left-turnindicating/electric connecting position, the left-turn indicating means93L is connected to the winker relay 97 in response to the swing of theswitch operating element 20 to the left-turn indicating position. In theright-turn indicating/electric connecting position the right-turnindicating means 93R is connected to the winker relay 97 in response tothe swing of the switch operating element 20 to the right-turnindicating position. In the disconnecting position, the left-turnindicating means 93L and the right-turn indicating means 93R aredisconnected from the winker relay 97 in response to the push-in of theswitch operating element 20 after the swing of the switch operatingelement 20 to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position.

In addition, the position switch 73 is mounted between a power sourceline 98, and the left and right position lamps 92L and 92R. The leftposition lamp 92L and the power source line 98 are disconnected fromeach other in response to the sliding of the movable contact holder 46to the left-turn indicating/electric connecting position correspondingto the swing of the switch operating element 20 to the left-turnindicating position. The right position lamp 92R and the power sourceline 98 are disconnected from each other in response to the sliding ofthe movable contact holder 46 to the right-turn indicating/electricconnecting position corresponding to the swing of the switch operatingelement 20 to the right-turn indicating position. Both the left andright position lamps 92L and 92R are connected to the power source line98 when the movable contact holder 46 is in the disconnecting position.

The winker relay 97 is mounted between the power source line 98 and thewinker switch 24 so as to repeat the electrical connection anddisconnection in response to the input of a setting signal from acontrol unit C, and retain the disconnected state in response to theinput of a cancel signal. Thus, the winker switch 24 breaks theconnection of the left-turn indicating means 93L or the right-turnindicating means 93R to the winker relay 97 in response to the push-inof the switch operating element 20 to the pushed-in position.

The control unit C includes a CPU 99, a pulse input circuit 102, an ADinput circuit 104, a power source circuit 100 provided between the powersource line 98 and the CPU 99, a switch input circuit 105, and atransistor 106 for controlling the electrical connection anddisconnection between the winker relay 97 and a position relay 110. Asignal is input from the set switch 25 to the CPU 99 through the switchinput circuit 105; a pulse signal output from a vehicle speed sensor 101is input to the CPU 99 through the pulse input circuit 102; and ananalog signal from a steering angle sensor 103 is input to the CPU 99through the AD input circuit 104.

The control unit C also includes lighting circuits 109L and 109Rprovided individually corresponding to the left and right indicatorlamps 96L and 96R which are light-emitting diodes, and adapted toactivate one of the left and right indicator lamps 96L and 96Rcorresponding to the switching mode of the winker switch 24.

The position relay 110 is provided between the left and right positionlamps 92L and 92R so as to be excited in response to the electricalconnection of the transistor 106 to break disconnection therebetween.

The CPU 99 is adapted to integrate detection values detected by thesteering angle sensor 103 in synchronization with pulses output from thevehicle speed sensor 110. When an integrated value is equal to or largerthan a given value, the CPU 99 determines that motorcycle is in acornering state; and after the end of the cornering state, when thedetection value detected by the steering angle sensor 103 becomes equalto or smaller than a predetermined value, the CPU 99 determines that apredetermined automatic canceling condition is established, and thenoutputs a cancel signal to break the connection to the transistor 106.Thus, the winker relay 97 is disconnected, and the position relay 110remains electrically connected. Also, the CPU 99 outputs a settingsignal when the set switch 25 changes the switching modes in response tothe swing of the switch operating element 20 in the returned positionfrom the neutral position to the left-turn or right-turn indicatingposition and appropriately provides the electrical connection, therebyproviding the electrical connection to the transistor 106. Thus, thewinker relay 97 is repeatedly electrically connected and disconnected,and the position relay 110 is disconnected.

The determination on the establishment of the predetermined automaticcanceling condition may be made by using a timer which counts timeelapsed from the electrical connection of the set switch 25. In thisarrangement, when the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time, itis determined that the predetermined automatic canceling condition hasbeen established.

When an ignition switch (not shown) is turned on in a state in which theswitch operating element 20 is in the neutral position, the CPU 99 ofthe control unit C provides the electrical connection to the transistor106, whereby the winker relay 97 is repeatedly electrically connectedand disconnected, the position relay 110 is disconnected, and the leftand right position lamps 92L and 92R are turned on. In this state, whenthe switch operating element 20 is swung to the right-turn indicatingposition, the position switch 73 turns off the right position lamp 92R,and causes the right front winker lamp 94R, the right rear winker lamp95R and the right indicator lamp 96R of the right indicating means 93Rto blink. When the CPU 99 determines that the predetermined automaticcanceling condition has been established to disconnect the transistor106, the winker relay 97 is disconnected, and the right front winkerlamp 94R, the right rear winker lamp 95R and the right indicator lamp96R of the right indicating means 93R are turned off. Also, theelectrical connection to the position relay 110 provides the electricalconnection of the position switch 73 through the position relay 110 tothe right position lamp 92R, thereby turning on the right position lamp92R.

Further, when the switch operating element 20 is swung to the left-turnindicating position, the position switch 73 turns off the left positionlamp 92L, conversely from the above-described case, and causes the leftfront winker lamp 94L, the left rear winker lamp 95L and the leftindicator lamp 96L to blink. When the CPU 99 determines that thepredetermined automatic canceling condition has been established todisconnect the transistor 106, the left front winker lamp 94L, the leftrear winker lamp 95L and the left indicator lamp 96L of the leftindicating means 93L are turned off, and the left position lamp 92L isturned on.

The operation of the first embodiment will be described below. Theresiliently urging means 23 is mounted between the switch case 18 andthe switch operating element 20 so as to urge the switch operatingelement 20 toward the neutral position and the returned position. Theresiliently urging means 23 includes the return plate 34 and the pair ofreturn springs 35, 35. The return plate 34 has the guide recess 38 atone end thereof against which the first pin 39 provided on the switchoperating element 20 is adapted to abut, and is supported in the switchcase 18 so as to be slidable in the direction parallel to the directionsof push-in and return of the switch operating element 20. The pair ofreturn springs 35, 35 are mounted between the return plate 34 and theswitch case 18 so as to exhibit the spring forces for urging the returnplate 34 in the direction to cause the first pin 39 to abut against theguide recess 38. The guide recess 38 is formed into the substantiallytriangular shape having the valley 40 and the pair of return cam faces41 and 42 provided on the opposite sides of the valley 40. The first pin39 abuts against the valley 40 in the state in which the switchoperating element 20 is in the neutral position. The return cam faces 41and 42 are inclined to bring the first pin 39 into abutment against thecam faces 41 and 42 in response to the swing of the switch operatingelement 20 to the left-turn and the right-turn indicating positions.Both the return springs 35 are mounted between the return plate 34 andthe switch case 18 on the opposite sides of the valley 40.

With this resiliently urging means 23, when the switch operating element20 is in the neutral position, the pair of return springs 35 brings thefirst pin 39 of the switch operating element 20 into abutment againstthe valley 40 of the guide recess 38. When the switch operating element20 is swung to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position, thereturn springs 35 exhibit the spring forces for urging the switchoperating element 20 in the direction to return the first pin 39abutting against one of the return cam faces 41 and 42 provided on theopposite sides of the valley 40 to the valley 40, i.e., in the directionto return the switch operating element 20 toward the neutral position.When the switch operating element 20 is pushed-in to the pushed-inposition, the return springs 35 exhibit the spring forces for urging theswitch operating element 20 toward the returned position.

The return plate 34 and the pair of return springs 35 are disposed inparallel to the switch operating element 20, thereby reducing the entirelength of the turn signal switch means 17 in the directions of push-inand return of the switch operating element 20. Further, the pair ofreturn springs 35 exhibit the spring forces from the opposite sides toreturn the switch operating element 20 toward the neutral position,thereby inhibiting the switch operating element 20 from staggeringduring operation thereof, leading to an improved operational feeling.

Furthermore, the resiliently urging means 23 and the winker switch 24are disposed within the switch case 18 with the switch operating element20 sandwiched therebetween, thereby reducing the entire length of theturn signal switch means 17 in the directions of push-in and return ofthe switch operating element 20. In addition, the position of the switchoperating element 20 can be changed by disposing the resiliently urgingmeans 23 and the winker switch 24 on which side of the switch operatingelement 20, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in disposing theoperating knob 21, which is the operating portion of the switchoperating element 20, in the vertical direction.

The switch operating element 20 is provided with the first pin 39protruding from one surface of the switch operating element 20, and thesecond pin 68 protruding from the other surface of the switch operatingelement 20 at the position spaced away from the pivot shaft 22 more thanthe first pin 39. The resiliently urging means 23 is disposed on oneside of the switch operating element 20 so as to provide a resilientforce to the first pin 39 for urging the switch operating element 20 tothe neutral and returned position. The movable contact holder 46constituting a portion of the winker switch 24 is operatively connectedto the second pin 68 so as to be slid. Therefore, the distance betweenthe second pin 68 operatively connected to the movable contact holder 46and the pivot shaft 22 is relatively increased, and the amount ofsliding of the movable contact holder 46 due to the swing of the switchoperating element 20 is relatively increased, thereby securing asufficient insulating space between the contacts of the winker switch24. Also, the resiliently urging means 23 apply a resiliently urgingforce to the first pin 39 having a relatively large distance from thepivot shaft 22, thereby reducing a space required for the resilientlyurging means 23 in the push-in and return directions to downsize theturn signal switch means 17, and increasing the degree of freedom insetting the operating load.

In addition, the movable contact holder 46 can slide between a left-turnindicating/connecting position, a right-turn indicating/electricconnecting position, and a disconnecting position provided at a centralportion between the left-turn indicating/electric connecting positionand the right-turn indicating/electric connecting position. In theleft-turn indicating/electric connecting position, the left-turnindicating means 93L is connected to the winker relay 97 in response tothe swing of the switch operating element 20 to the left-turn indicatingposition. In the right-turn indicating/electric connecting position theright-turn indicating means 93R is connected to the winker relay 97 inresponse to the swing of the switch operating element 20 to theright-turn indicating position. In the disconnecting position, theleft-turn indicating means 93L and the right-turn indicating means 93Rare disconnected from the winker relay 97 in response to the push-in ofthe switch operating element 20 after the swing of the latter to theleft-turn or right-turn indicating position. The winker switch 24 isoperatively connected to the switch operating element 20 so as to breakthe connection of the left-turn indicating means 93L or the right-turnindicating means 93R to the winker relay 97 in response to the push-inof the switch operating element 20 to the pushed-in position. Therefore,in order to provide a winker-canceled state by a manual operation afterthe winker switch 24 has been operated so as to connect the left-turnindicting means 93L or the right-turn indicating means 93R to theflasher unit by swinging the switch operating element 20 in the returnedposition toward the left-turn indicating position or the right-turnindicating position, the switch operating element 20 is pushed-in fromthe returned position to the pushed-in position. With this operation,the winker switch 24, in a state in which the left-turn indicting means93L or the right-turn indicating means 93R is connected to the winkerrelay 97, is operated to break the connection of the left-turn indictingmeans 93L or the right-turn indicating means 93R to the winker relay 97,thereby providing the winker-canceled state. Therefore, a switch and anelectric circuit for manual canceling are not required to improve thereliability.

Further, in the resiliently urging means 23, the guide recess 38provided in the return plate 34 is formed so that the amount of strokeof the return plate 34 upon the swing of the switch operating element 20in the returned position from the neutral position to the left-turnindicating position or the right-turn indicating position is larger thanthe amount of stroke of the return plate 34 upon the push-in of theswitch operating element 20 from the returned position to the pushed-inposition. The set switch 25 comprises the seventh stationary contacts 87fixedly disposed on the side of the switch case 18, and the sixthmovable contacts 69. The sixth movable contacts 69 are disposed on thereturn plate 34 so that they are brought into contact and electricalconnection with the seventh stationary contacts 87 upon the swing of theswitch operating element 20 in the returned position from the neutralposition to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position, but theyare not brought into contact with the seventh stationary contacts 87upon the push-in of the switch operating element 20 from the returnedposition to the pushed-in position. Thus, it is possible to constructthe set switch 25 so as to provide electrical connection in response tothe swing of the switch operating element 20 from the neutral positionto the left-turn or right-turn indicating position, by utilizing adifference between the amount of stroke of the return plate 34 upon thepush-in of the switch operating element 20 from the returned position tothe pushed-in position and the amount of stroke of the return plate 34upon the swing of the switch operating element 20 to the left-turnindicating position or the right-turn indicating position. Therefore,the set switch 25 is constructed by using, as a portion thereof, thereturn plate 34 constituting the return plate 34 which is a portion ofthe resiliently urging means 23, thereby reducing the number of parts.

In the first embodiment, the turn signal control device including theposition lamps 92L and 92R has been described, but in a secondembodiment, a turn signal control device including no position lamps 92Land 92R will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In the secondembodiment, portions or components corresponding to those in the firstembodiment are only shown in FIG. 14 with the same reference numeralsand symbols, and the detailed description thereof is omitted.

A winker relay 97 which is a flasher unit is mounted between a powersource line 98 and the winker switch 24. A winker switch 24 is adaptedto break the connection of the left-turn indicting means 93L or theright-turn indicating means 93R to the winker relay 97 in response tothe push-in of the switch operating element 20 to the pushed-inposition.

Namely, the position switch 73 and the position relay 110 in the firstembodiment are not required in the second embodiment.

Also with the second embodiment, in order to provide a winker-canceledstate by a manual operation after the winker switch 24 has been operatedso as to connect the left-turn indicting means 93L or the right-turnindicating means 93R to the flasher unit by swinging the switchoperating element 20 in the returned position toward the left-turnindicating position or the right-turn indicating position, the switchoperating element 20 is pushed-in from the returned position to thepushed-in position. With this operation, the winker switch 24, in astate in which the left-turn indicting means 93L or the right-turnindicating means 93R is connected to the winker relay 97, is operated tobreak the connection of the left-turn indicting means 93L or theright-turn indicating means 93R to the winker relay 97, therebyproviding the winker-canceled state. Therefore, a switch and an electriccircuit for manual canceling are not required to improve thereliability.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described,the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiments,and changes in design can be made without departing from the subjectmatter of the present invention defined in the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the set switch 25 isconstructed to change the switching modes from the disconnected state tothe electrically connected state in response to the swing of the switchoperating element 20 from the neutral position to the left-turn orright-turn indicating position. However, the set switch 25 may beconstructed to change the switching modes from the electricallyconnecting state to the disconnecting state in response to the swing ofthe switch operating element 20 from the left-turn or right-turnindicating position to the neutral position.

1. A turn signal control device for a vehicle, comprising: a flasherunit for repeatedly performing connection and disconnection in responseto input of a setting signal, and maintaining a disconnected state inresponse to input of a cancel signal; a left-turn indicating means and aright-turn indicating means which are activated by electricity supplythereto to indicate a left-turned state and a right-turned state,respectively; a turn signal switch means including: a switch operatingelement swingable between a neutral position, and a left-turn indicatingposition and a right-turn indicating position which are provided onopposite sides of the neutral position; a winker switch for connectingthe left-turn indicating means or the right-turn indicating means to theflasher unit in response to swing of the switch operating element fromthe neutral position to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position;and a set switch for changing switching modes in response to the swingof the switch operating means from the neutral position to the left-turnor right-turn indicating position; and a control unit which inputs thecancel signal to the flasher unit in response to establishment of apredetermined automatic canceling condition, and which inputs thesetting signal to the flasher unit in response to change of theswitching modes of the set switch corresponding to the swing of theswitch operating element, wherein the switch operating element iscarried on a pivot shaft mounted in a fixed switch case so that theswitch operating element can be returned and pushed-in between areturned position and a pushed-in position, the switch operating elementbeing swingable at the returned position between the neutral positionand the left-turn indicating position and the right-turn indicatingposition, the switch operating element being pushed-in to the pushed-inposition by push-in operation at the returned position; wherein aresiliently urging means is mounted between the switch case and theswitch operating element so as to resiliently urge the switch operatingelement toward the neutral position and the returned position; andwherein the winker switch is operatively connected to the switchoperating element so as to break the connection of the left-turnindicating means or the right-turn indicating means to the flasher unitin response to push-in of the switch operating element to the pushed-inposition.
 2. A turn signal control device for a vehicle according toclaim 1, wherein the resiliently urging means and the winker switch aredisposed within the switch case with the switch operating elementsandwiched therebetween.
 3. A turn signal control device for a vehicleaccording to claim 1 or 2, wherein the switch operating element includesa first pin protruding from one surface of the switch operating element,and a second pin protruding from the other surface of the switchoperating element at a position spaced away from the pivot shaft morethan the first pin; and wherein the resiliently urging means is arrangedon one side of the switch operating element so as to apply a resilientforce to the first pin so that the first pin urges the switch operatingelement to the neutral position and the returned position; and wherein amovable contact holder having a plurality of movable contacts andconstituting a portion of the winker switch is operatively connected tothe second pin so that the movable contact holder can slide between aleft-turn indicating/connecting position, a right-turnindicating/connecting position and a disconnecting position, theleft-turn indicating means being connected to the flasher unit at theleft-turn indicating/connecting position in response to the swing of theswitch operating element to the left-turn indicating position, theright-turn indicating means being connected to the flasher unit at theright-turn indicating/connecting position in response to the swing ofthe switch operating element to the right-turn indicating position, thedisconnecting position being provided at a central portion between theleft-turn indicating/connecting position and the right-turnindicating/connecting position so that the movable contact holder canbreak the connection of the left-turn indicating means or the right-turnindicating means to the flasher unit in response to the push-in of theswitch operating element after the swing of the switch operating elementto the left-turn or right-turn indicating position.
 4. A turn signalcontrol device for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein theresiliently urging means includes a return plate that has a guide recessinto which the first pin is inserted and that is supported in the switchcase so that the return plate can slide in a direction parallel todirections of push-in and return of the switch operating element, and apair of return springs mounted between the return plate and the switchcase so as to exhibit spring forces for urging the return plate in adirection to bring the first pin into abutment against the guide recess;wherein the guide recess is formed into a substantially triangular shapehaving a valley against which the first pin abuts in a state in whichthe switch operating element is in the neutral position, and return camfaces provided on opposite sides of the valley and inclined so that thefirst pin is brought into abutment against the return cam faces inresponse to the swing of the switch operating element to the left-turnand right-turn indicating positions; and wherein the return springs aremounted between the return plate and the switch case on the oppositesides of the valley.
 5. A turn signal control device for a vehicleaccording to claim 4, wherein the guide recess is formed so that anamount of stroke of the return plate upon the swing of the switchoperating element in the returned position from the neutral position tothe left-turn indicating position or the right-turn indicating positionis larger than an amount of stroke of the return plate upon the push-inof the switch operating element from the returned position to thepushed-in position; and wherein the set switch includes a stationarycontact fixedly disposed on a side of the switch case and a movablecontact disposed on the return plate, the movable contact being broughtinto contact and electrical connection with the stationary contact uponthe swing of the switch operating element in the returned position fromthe neutral position to the left-turn or right-turn indicating position,while the movable contact are not brought into contact with thestationary contact upon the push-in of the switch operating element fromthe returned position to the pushed-in position.